Improvement in paper-clamps



M. I-I. WATSON.

Paper-Clamp,

No. 215,306. Patented May/13, 18.79.`

IlzvenI/ol'- TeTEs PATENT MONTGOMERY H. WATSON, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-C'LAM PS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,306, dated May 13, 1879; application filed March 13, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MONTGOMERY H. WAT- SON, of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper- Glamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same. l

This invention is an improvement in clamps for holding together letter-heads, bill-heads,

y note-heads, and other papers in a form convenient to be written upon, and so as to readily permit each sheet to be separately detached.

The device consists, essentially, of a portfolio, to the upper edge of one side of which is secured a clamp, consisting of an upright metal plate, serving as a bearing for two leverarms, provided with presser-feet and connected by a suitable spring, which holds the feet in constant yielding contact with the paper placed upon the base-piece of the portfolio, so that when the upper sheet has been written upon it may be detached by pulling it from under the feet without affecting the remaining sheets.

The novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of the device, as will be herein set forth and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved clamp attached to a portfolio. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Corresponding letters of reference indicate like parts in both gures.

A is an ordinary portfolio, as indicated, of any suitable construction. To the top edge of one of the sides of this portfolio I attach a llat metal plate, B7 having its lower edge bent at right angles, so as to form a fastening portion for attachingthis plate to the portfolio. This may be done by splitting the top edge of the portfolio and inserting the angular portion of the plate, and securing it by rivets, or in any other suitable way, which will bring the plate in a vertical plane, with its lower edge resting upon the edge of the portfolio, as shown. v

The ends of the plate B are rounded, forming segments of circles, with their centers at C, as indicated. At these centers, upon the outer side of the plate, I pivot two bell-crank arms or levers, D, of the shape shown, having their adjacent arms connected by a spiral or other spring, F. The ends of the outer arms of these levers project slightly beyond the ends of the plate, and to them are suitably attached the ends of two presser-feet, F, which may be short cylindrical metal pieces., such as are shown. These last extend at right angles from the ends of the levers D, and rest upon theportfolio, as seen. By the contractile power of the spring E these presser-feet are always held down upon the portfolio, but as they can yield with the spring the upper ends of sheets G of bill-heads, letter-heads, note-heads, Sto., can be slipped in piles under them, and will be held firmly against the face of the portfolio.

When the uppermost sheet has been used it is grasped at its lower end by the thumb and finger, and with a quick pull is withdrawn without danger of tearing it, and without moving or disturbing the rest of the sheets. this construction and arrangement a single sheet can be held as firmly as twenty or a hundred.

The capacity of the device is only limited by the height of the plate B.

The porfolio serves to cover the contained vpaper and keep it clean; and, if desired, the

side a may be provided with a blotter, attached in any suitable or convenient way, which, when a sheet has been written on, can be made to blot it by simply closing the portfolio.

While I have described the plate B as solid, still it may be made in open fret-work, or according to any ornamental design, provided it retains pivotal bearings for the arms D, and curved or segmental bearings for the passage of the presser-feet; also, instead of using a portfolio, any base-piece may be employed which will serve to rest the paper on and attach the plate B and its appliances to.

Having thus fully described my invention, Witness my hand this 24th day of February,

I claim as follows: A. D. 1879.

In a paper-clamp, the bearing-plate B, suity ably attached to a base-piece, and provided MONTGOMERY H. WATSON.

with bell-crank arms D, united by a spring,

and having` presser-feet projecting over the Witnesses:

base-piece, whereby any limited number of OHAS. M. PEOK, sheets of paper may be clamped and detacha- PATRICK H. GUNOKEL.

bly held, as set forth. 

